Extensible step-ladder



(No Model.)

H. TEMPLE.

BXTENSIBLE STEP LADDER.

No. 317,884. Patented'May 12, 1885.

N. PEIER$ PhcQvl-Ylhognphnr. Wishinglan. ILC.

NITED STATES PATENT tries.

HENRY TEMPLE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, llIICHIGAN.

EXTENSIBLE STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO.31'7,881, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed April 6, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY TEMPLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, Kent county, Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extensible Step Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to extension step-lad ders, and has for its object to simplify the construction of the same, to provide means for holding the two sections at various angles, to provide for holding one section at various heights upon the other, and,further, to provide means for guarding against the outer ends of the extensible section slipping or defacing objects against which it may come in contact; and to these ends the invention consists in the construction and the combination of parts hereinafter particularly described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ladder distended. Fig. 2 is a perspective of theladder extended with a portion of one side bar broken away. Fig. 3 is a side elevation distended, showing the flexible cord connecting the two sections.

In the drawings, the letter A designates one section, composed of the side bars 13 and transverse strips G, the latter preferably being flat and set at an inclination, as shown, the top step being provided with hooks D screwed or otherwise secured thereto and extending back of the step.

The rear faces of the upper ends of the side bars are provided or formed with semicircular or other shaped recesses or notches E, while from the side faces of the bars just below the top step project pins F, and lower down on the side are attached the staples or catches G.

The section A of the ladder is composed of the side bars B and rounds 0. Near the upper end of the section there extends from one of its side bars to the other a metal rod, I, secured in place by nuts J, and to this red, preferably inside of the side bars, are pivoted two flanged slides, K, which extend across to the other section, A, of the latter, so that the flanges will lap over the front edge of its side bars. These slides are preferably held next to the side bars B by nut-washers L on the (No model.)

threaded part of the red I; but the washers may be omitted. The inner edges of the bars 13 near their upper ends are formed with notches or recesses E to fit around the pins F, which form a fulcrum or hinge for that end of the section A, so that when the two sections are distended, as in ordinary step-ladders, the pins F will keep the upper end of section A from dropping down, and the flanged slides will keep its lower end from slipping backward, thereby preventing spreading of the sections.

A rope or chain, M, is passed through openings or perforations made in the sides 13. and

is provided at its ends with hooks G, which normally engage with catches H, provided at the side faces of the bars B", so as to hold the rope securely out of place when not in use. This rope, when either one or both ends are disengaged from the catches H and engaged with the catches G, will permit the two sections A and A to be placed at any angle desired and securely hold them at the adjusted angle and prevent them from spreading, the upper end of section A in that event being disengaged from the pins F on section A and resting lower down on the sides of section A.

hen the step-ladder is to be used as an extension-ladder, the section A is turned so as to throw its lower end upwardly with one of its rounds above the hooks D, and it is then dropped far enouglrto bring the round into the hooks, so as to rest therein and permit the section A to be thus supported by the section A. In such adjustment the slides K serve as guides to the side bars of section A on the side bars of section A. The section. can thus be adjusted to any length desired upon section A, so that the desired extension can be easily effected.

When the ladder is to be stored away, the section A lies close to section A, so that little space is occupied.

In order to guard against the section A slipping or defacing any object against which it may rest, a strip or piece of rubber, N, is secured to its lower ends by screws, nails, or otherwise. A soft and frictional cushion is thus formed at the ends.

The ladder-can be made at little cost, and

its construction is such that it is strong and durable and can be readily converted from a step into an extension ladder.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination,with the section A, provided with projecting pins on its sides, of the section A, formed with notches or recesses to engage with said pins and provided with pivoted flanged slides, the flanges whereof fit around the edges of the side bars of section A, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with section A, provided with hooks projecting therefrom, of section A, having a hinged connection with section A by means of flanged slides, whereby section A may be moved on section A and be supported in an extended position by the hooks on section A substantially as described.

3. The combination, with sections A and A, hinged together, of a flexible connection between the two sections permitting the sections to be adjusted at various angles to each other and preventing them from slipping apart,

substantially as described.

4..Thc combination of section A, provided 1 with catches, section A, hinged thereto and provided with catches, and a flexible rope or chain connected with one section and provided with hooks to engage with the catches on both sections, substantially as described.

5. The combination or" sections A and A, hinged together to permit one section to be extended upon the other, the extensible section being provided with a soft frictional cushion at its ends, substantially as described.

6. The within-described step and extension ladder, composed of the section A, provided with catches and pins on its sides and hooks projecting from it, the section A, hinged to section A by pivoted flanged slides, its side bars being adapted to engage with the pins on section A, and the flexible cord or chain provided with books to engage with catches 1 on both sections, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY TEMPLE;

Witnesses:

Gno. W. THOMPSON, FREDTEMPLE. 

